A Very Onion Christmas - Picture Books

It's Christmas time in the city.

We admit we can't hear any silver bells just now (maybe they are being drowned out by the monsoon we are currently experiencing), but we can hear the plaintive mewing of stockings needing to be stuffed.

So, out of the goodness of our hearts*, we bring you some advice on what to buy the youngest members of your family.

Monkey Red Monkey Blue
by Nicki Greenberg

Ages: 0-3

What happens when two merry monkeys and one cheeky chameleon decide to have a midnight feast? Do they sit quietly at the table and carefully prepare cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off? No, dear readers, they do not. Popcorn! Spaghetti! Hot dogs! Fruit salad! Pancakes! Milk! All together with a cherry on top! What could possibly go wrong.

Noni the Pony by Alison Lester

Age: 1-4

Well, we say 1-4 year olds, but really everyone who sees Noni falls in love. Even the good people out at the United Book Distributors warehouse, who handle not only millions of our books every year, but squillions of other people's as well. Noni is friendly and funny and the colour of honey - and she clearly stood out from the pack.

The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies by Tom Niland Champion & Kilmeny Niland, pictures by Deborah Niland

Ages 3-6

In a big, big city,

in a tiny, tiny apartment,
lived a tall, tall man
and twelve babies.
All the boys were called Alistair.
All the girls were called Charlene.

How funny is that? Aren't you intrigued? Don't you want to know how this can possibly work for the tall man and all those Alistairs and Charlenes? Are you going to instantly buy this book for all your friends and relations? Thought so. Our job here is done.

Precious Little by Julie Hunt & Sue Moss, illustrated by Gaye Chapman

Ages 4-8

This book is stunning. Gaye Chapman's illustrations are exquisite, and the story is moving and inspiring. AND IT HAS A SPECIAL CLEVER TWISTY SECRET THING - but you have to sit down to read it to your favourite small person before you get to know what it is.

Shake A Leg by Boori Monty Prior and Jan Ormerod

Ages 6-10

This book will have you dancing and making pizza. It will have you laughing and sharing stories. It's an absolute delight from two hugely respected creators. All you fellas watching, come up, join in,

warrima. Clap your hands, little ones. Stamp your feet, nannas.

Always-and-ever favourites:

Three of our best-beloved picture books have been re-released in stunning celebratory editions. If you don't already know these three classics, then now is the time to get on board. If you already know and love them - just go look at these gorgeous editions.

• Old Pig by Ron Brooks
• Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks
• Magic Beach by Alison Lester. This edition comes with a pull-out frieze, people. A FRIEZE.

*I know, I know. We're just that good to you guys! You can thank us at the checkout of your local bookseller.